Ancient History and Modern China

China, or the People’s Republic of China, is the second largest country in terms of land on Earth and is the second largest economy. The country has a rich political and social history of dynasties and empires that, although long past, continue to influence the modern culture of China.

Although some evidence has been found of pre-historic people in China, the first historical rule of a dynasty in the area is that of the Xia Dynasty. This dynasty was once contested by historians as being mythical, but some evidence has been found giving its authenticity. Many wars were fought between rival states during the years of the feudal dynasties and eventually a unified Chinese empire was born in 221 BC. One of the most culturally important eras of Chinese rule was that of the Han Dynasty; its culture has endured into modern times. The era of the Han Dynasty saw China as the world’s largest economy thanks to military expansion and trade of materials such as silk.

The teachings of Confucius, a Chinese philosopher who lived from 551 to 479 BC, are still important to Chinese culture. His theories of ethics, society, and politics were solidified during the Han Dynasty. The basic elements of Confucianism are that secular things are regarded as sacred; it can be compared to modern humanism. It focuses on the importance of altruism, family, acts of goodness, and proper behavior in a community. Although the theories of Confucianism changed slightly with ingoing and outgoing Chinese empires, the core concepts have always remained and are still cherished by some of China’s great thinkers. Certainly, these teachings should be viewed as an important world heritage.

Mouthwatering Exotic Curries Explored

If you are looking for a reason to visit Bangkok then you only need to think about the food which offers a blend of taste. If you are used to eating sweet food separately from bitter food exotic Thai cuisine offers a blend of tastes in a single dish.

The defining characteristic of Thai food is in the use of herbs and spices to give food a distinct flavor. The Thai people are keen on strong flavors and such items like fresh coriander, lemon grass and lime juice are used to enhance the taste of food. It goes without saying that rice in this country continues to remain a staple food. The rice is often accompanied by food pastas and curries all of which are prepared to give added flavor to the food.

The Thai people have a rich culture is dynamic and it comes out clearly in the food that they eat. Try and eat a portion of raw beef, deep fried insect larvae or fermented fish paste to realize how rich this cuisine is. This is a culture that has not been using very friendly ingredients and people often finds it interesting. It is good to understand that the styles of cooking the Thai dishes are similar to that of the many Asian continent country but the demarcation lies in the fact that the cuisine is simply interesting. Many hotels in the world offer Thai cuisine and so it is important to experience the cuisine at home before you branch out. You will find these foods irresistible and exciting in the mouth.

Québec Culture and People

In the globalization era the borders are permeable, but the art and culture still represent a reference point for the people. Through cultural heritage people are expressing their sense of belonging to a society.

This fact is even more highlighted in Québec. French-speaking people are struggling to keep their cultural distinctiveness surrounded by a vast English-speaking neighbored communities of English Canada and United States. As a land of immigration added over its aboriginal history, by its both French and British influences, the Québec culture still benefits, more than any other culture on the continent, from the strong ties with the two great civilizations that influenced it: Europe and America. Being the only majority French-speaking society in North America, Québec maintains a deep connection to its own cultural heritage, the most important symbol of its identity. Québec’s culture is marked by its struggle to resist assimilation. The French language is the most important aspects of Québec’s cultural heritage and the principal factor in keeping it alive. To help preserve and promote the French language, the Québec government has even created an Office of the French language.

Through history, since the first settlement of French colonies, Québec culture was strongly influenced by Catholicism. The religion was present in all spheres of Québec society, in public administration, education and health. The emergence of the secularization movement in the 60s dramatically changed the social realities in the Province of Québec. The Cultural Revolution started in the 70s modernized all spheres of life and in the present days the cultural realities are keeping the pace with the rest of Canada and the Southern neighbor, the United States. From the cultural heritage of the past are left various places of pilgrimage, churches, religious statues and museums.